How to Approach Teacher Recs.

Greekfire
Tue, 27 Jul 2010 20:33:59 +0000

There’s been some good advice above. I just thought I’d add a sort of draft of an email that might give you an idea of what to say. Obviously I don’t mean this as a word-for-word guide, but rather a general sense of what points you want to touch upon.



Dear Ms. Sorensen,

Hello, this is Greekfire from your English Honors class. I hope you’ve been having a good summer. I’ve been preparing for college applications in the fall, and I would be honored if you could write a recommendation for me.

I really enjoyed your class and I wrote several essays that I felt very proud of (especially the persuasive Hamlet one on filial obligations). The class was always interesting and challenging for me. I would love a recommendation from you, because I feel that I grew quite a bit as a writer last year.

I would be happy to provide you any information you might need to write the recommendation. I haven’t yet finalized my college list, but I should be able to get you that in two weeks.

However, if you’re too busy, or you feel uncomfortable with writing me a recommendation, please let me know.

Sincerely,
Greekfire



I did much the same thing, except in person, and perhaps not quite as coherently. I would say, specifically: try to mention a specific assignment or project from that class that you did very well in; I think the angle of “I did some great work in your class so I feel comfortable asking you” works pretty well; always give the teacher a way out (it doesn’t seem likely in your case, but it’s only courteous to); mentioning a specific timeline for getting her information is good, because it displays personal responsibility.

Just remind the teacher what an excellent student you were. =)